What is School Counseling?

School Counseling is a comprehensive program designed to promote and enhance student performance and achievement by addressing the academic, career and personal/social needs of all students.  The program is administered by professional counselors and is delivered through individual counseling, classroom guidance, and small group counseling.

Academic Counseling

What does academic counseling include?     
            Goal Setting
            Academic Support
            Transition Planning
            Mentoring
            Support Group Participation
            IEP Support
            504 Coordination

Career Counseling

What does career counseling include?
           Career Information System (CIS)
           Willamette Academy
            Peer Helper Program
            AVID Program
             Career Night
     
Personal/Social Counseling

What does personal/social counseling include?
This type of counseling involves addressing students' needs through a one-on-one counseling support.   Examples may include:                    

 Peer pressure            Bullying prevention           

Conflict resolution               Family relationships
                   
 Personal identity issues     Grief and loss           Suicide
           
Child abuse                Motivation and achievement concerns
           
School dropout prevention                        Substance abuse

What is Our Mission and Philosophy?

Mission

The mission of the Waldo Middle School Counseling program is to assist students in overcoming barriers that impede learning.  Our goal is to implement a standards based comprehensive school counseling program that addresses the needs of all students in the domains of: Academic, Personal/Social, Career Development, and Community.

Philosophy

The School Counselors at Waldo Middle School believe:

• All students have worth and dignity.

• All students have the ability to learn and achieve.

• All students have the right to a fair and equitable education.

• All students have equal access to the school counselor to discuss academic, personal/social, career, and community concerns.

The School Counselors at Waldo Middle School:

• Advocate for the success of all students.

• Collaborate with teachers, parents, administrators, and community members to better understand and meet the needs of students.

• Address the academic, personal/social, career development, and community needs of students through individual counseling, support groups, classroom guidance lessons, and collaboration and consultation.

• Use of student achievement data, program evaluation results, and advisory council feedback to plan, evaluate, and improve the school counseling program.

• Adhere to Ethical Standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association.   

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us. We believe that each student and their families deserve to be treated with the deepest respect and discretion. We will guard your privacy as much as permitted by law. If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please feel free to contact your student’s counselor.

What can Parents do to help thier Students?

How can I support my child at school?

1.   Be involved with school.  Get to know your child’s teachers.

• If you have Internet, communicate with teachers through e-mail.

• If you have Internet, sign up for In-Touch to monitor grades, attendance, and behavior. 

• Make sure your child has a routine for homework (minimize distractions).

• If you ever have questions contact the school counselor (503-399-3215).

General

• Spend time with your child.  Ask about friends, accomplishments, challenges.

• Talk with your child about peer pressure and challenges they may face with friends. 

• Be honest and direct when talking with your child.

• Have clear expectations and consequences.

• Eat meals together as a family.

• Teach your child responsibility (chores, helping at home, volunteering).

• Get to know your child’s friends (and if possible parents of friends).

• Say, “You must be proud of yourself” instead of “I am proud of you”.

• Help your child set goals (short and long term).

• Encourage your child to join school and community groups.

• Monitor/Limit use of cell phones, video games, and computers.

• Encourage your child to read every day.

Health/Safety

• Healthy diet – Eat 3 meals day; limit fast food; and drink milk or dairy products.

• Sleep – Have routine bedtimes (9-10 hours of sleep recommended).  Keep bedrooms free of distractions: TV’s, video games, computers, and cell phones. 

• Encourage your child to be active and exercise (use a helmet riding bikes/skateboards).

• Talk to your child about stranger and playground safety.

• Have the computer in an open area of your house.

• Discuss avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, drugs (including inhalants), and guns.

• Teach your child to swim.     

**** Be a Good Role Model ****

What is the AVID Program?

The mission of AVID is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle:
 
Will succeed in rigorous curriculum;
Will complete a rigorous college preparatory path;
Will enter mainstream activities of the school;
Will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges;
.

The AVID Student Profile:

• Students With Academic Potential

• Average to high test scores

• 2.0-3.5 GPA

• College potential with support

• Desire and determination

Meets One or More of the Following Criteria:

• First to attend college

• Historically underserved in four-year colleges

• Low income

• Special circumstances

Please contact AVID Coordinator, Kendra Scharer if you are interested in learning more about this program.  (503) 399-3215

What are the Leadership and Peer Helper Programs?

Waldo offers a Peer Helper/Leadership class for 8th grade students that is a partnership with the counseling department.  In this class students not only learn leadership skills, but also run the activities for the entire school. These students do new student orientations, mentoring and tutoring, plan school assemblies, dances, fundraisers, and other special projects for teachers, staff and students. They are also role models and serve as the eyes and ears for the counseling center.

Scheduling

All schedule changes are conducted by the student's counselor according to first letter of the last name.

Student initiated schedule changes are done during the first two weeks of each semester.  

Please contact:
(503) 399-3215